Telescopic container

ABSTRACT

A telescopic container includes a first enclosure section defining a first interior volume and being open on one side. A second enclosure section defines a second interior volume and is open on one side. The open sides face each other. The second section has exterior dimensions enabling movement thereof into the first enclosure section. A plurality of telescopic units connect the first and second enclosure sections. The telescoping units having operable length such that when fully extended, the first and second enclosure sections are separated from each other and a work surface is defined having an area exceeding a combined surface area of the first and second enclosure sections. The operable length is such that when fully retracted, the second enclosure section is nested in the first enclosure section to define a total interior volume less than the sum of the first and second interior volumes.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/786,137 filed on Apr. 11, 2007.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a container, and, in particular, such with a dual capacity to store items in a contracted state of the container and serve as a mobile work area in an expanded state of the container.

BACKGROUND

Containers are commonplace in both residential and commercial environments. In either environment, as is well known, containers are used to store and ship a wide variety of items. The identity of the specific items for containing oftentimes dictates, or at least suggests, a suitable substance for a particular container. For instance, although containers may be constructed from wood, plastic, metal, or countless other substances, fireworks, marine airguns and weapons may be preferably contained in containers constructed of different substances, each of which provide the necessary sturdiness and containment requirements, such as aerobicness and humidity, en route or during stationary storage for the containments.

Problems exist, however, when one wishes to use items removed from their containers. Using the aforementioned containments as examples, a work space must be found or constructed in order to use the fireworks, marine airguns or weapons. If a work space must be found, this may require transporting the containments to distant locations as well as possibly requiring additional containers for this transporting to the work space; this adds costs and time before ultimate use of the containments. If a work space must be constructed, this requires materials, costs, and time before ultimate use of the containments.

Accordingly, in light of the example, above-identified problems, a need, therefore, exists that combine containment and a work space in one device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A telescopic container according to one aspect of the invention includes a first enclosure section defining a first interior volume and being open on one side. A second enclosure section defines a second interior volume and is open on one side. The open sides face each other. The second section has exterior dimensions enabling movement thereof into the first enclosure section. A plurality of telescopic units connect the first and second enclosure sections. The telescoping units having operable length such that when fully extended, the first and second enclosure sections are separated from each other and a work surface is defined having an area exceeding a combined surface area of the first and second enclosure sections. The operable length is such that when fully retracted, the second enclosure section is nested in the first enclosure section to define a total interior volume less than the sum of the first and second interior volumes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1A depicts an example embodiment of a telescopic container having a rectangular box shape.

FIG. 1B depicts an example embodiment of a telescopic container having a wheel shape and a securing mechanism in a locked state when the telescopic container is in a fully contracted state.

FIG. 2 depicts an example embodiment of a telescopic container shown in an expanded state with integrally connected telescopic units and opposing arrows in the foreground that show the range of expandable motion for the telescopic container.

FIG. 3A depicts an aerial view of an example embodiment of a telescopic unit having a male portion affixable with bolts to a non-depicted first portion of the telescopic container and a female portion affixable with bolts to a non-depicted second portion of the telescopic container, wherein the female portion inherently provides a sleeve for the male portion and protects the male portion from contact by a user.

FIG. 3B depicts a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a telescopic unit having a male portion associated with a non-depicted first portion of the telescopic container and a female portion associated with a non-depicted second portion of the telescopic container, wherein the female portion inherently provides a sleeve for the male portion and protects the male portion from contact by a user.

FIG. 4A depicts an aerial view of an example embodiment of a telescopic unit having a first portion affixable with screws to a non-depicted first portion of the telescopic container and a second, grooved portion affixable with screws to a non-depicted second portion of the telescopic container, wherein the first portion slides into the second, grooved portion.

FIG. 4B depicts a cross-sectional view of an example embodiment of a telescopic unit having a first portion associated with a non-depicted first portion of the telescopic container and a second, grooved portion associated with a non-depicted second portion of the telescopic container, wherein the first portion slides into the second, grooved portion.

FIG. 5 depicts an aerial view of an example embodiment of a telescopic unit having a male portion and female portion integrally associated with a non-depicted, flat surface of a telescopic container, wherein the male portion is T-shaped, and the upper portion of this T-shape is larger than the orifice of the female portion so as to prevent complete separation of the male portion from the female portion in a fully expanded state of the telescopic unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The following is a detailed description of example embodiments of the invention depicted with assistance and reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are examples and are in such detail as to clearly communicate the invention. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. The detailed descriptions below are designed to make such embodiments obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Generally speaking, devices for telescopic containers are contemplated. By “telescopic” is meant extensible or compressible by or as if by the sliding of overlapping sections. In a fully contracted state, the telescopic container operates as containers ordinarily do, i.e., to house items of any kind of goods for storage and/or shipping. The disclosed telescopic containers, however, also have one or more telescopic units that allow the telescopic containers to expand, and thereby, provide a larger surface area that may be used for the contained goods or other goods, such as a deployment work surface area.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, a three-dimensional view of a telescopic container 100 having a rectangular box shape is depicted in a fully contracted state. That is, the telescopic container 100 is fully closed, and, in this state, may house goods of any kind for storage or shipping. Expectedly, the goods housed in the telescopic container 100 in a fully contracted state may dictate the desired substance from which the telescopic container 100 is made. For instance, the telescopic container 100, itself, may be made from wood, metal, plastic, a combination thereof, or any other substance that provides a suitably sturdy environment, as well as any other desired physical properties, such as aerobicness and humidity, for the contained goods. In addition and possibly depending upon the goods housed, the sides, top and bottom of the telescopic container 100 may or may not be solid.

Although the fully contracted telescopic container 100 shows a bisector 110 that divides the telescopic container 100 in two portions, namely a first portion 115 and a second portion 120, of the same size, the disclosed telescopic container 100 could also be divided into two non-equal portions that are not depicted herein, but easily imagined. Looking at FIG. 1, the bisector 110 divides one side of the telescopic container 100 into one side associated with a terminology herein called “first” and another side associated with a terminology herein called “second.” In particular, the telescopic container 100 includes a first portion 115 having a first top surface 125, a first bottom surface 130, and one visible first side 135 of three first sides. Similarly, the telescopic container 100 also has a second top surface 140, a second bottom surface 145, and two visible second side surfaces 150 of three second sides. The telescopic container 100 also includes at least one telescopic unit 155, and, in FIG. 1, three telescopic units 155 are shown to span and unite the first portion 115 to the second portion 120. The telescopic unit 155 is what allows the telescopic container 100 to expand into a range of positions 160 in the direction shown by the joint opposing arrows. By pulling the telescopic container 100 apart in the opposing directions shown by the joint opposing arrows, the overall surface area of the telescopic container 100 increases as compared to the sum of the first top surface 125 and the second top surface 120 in the fully contracted state of the telescopic container 100 shown in FIG. 1. This increase can be visualized with immediate reference to FIG. 2, but a further description of FIG. 2 ensue shortly after a description of FIG. 1B.

Turning now to FIG. 1B, another example shape of a telescopic container 175 is depicted. In FIG. 1B, the telescopic container 175 has a denominated “wheel” shape in a fully contacted state, however, other shapes are entirely possible and within the ambit of this disclosure. Generally, shapes that provide at least a flat top surface are desired because such also provide both the greatest increases in surface area upon expansion of the telescopic container 175 and a more desired work surface for most users because of its flat nature.

FIG. 1B also depicts the telescopic container 175 as only having a single telescopic unit 185 on the container's 175 top surface. By comparison, FIG. 1A shows three telescopic units 155 on that telescopic container's 100 top surface. This difference, of course, parlays into the larger fact that the length, width and number of telescopic unit(s) on any surface and/or side of any particular telescopic container may vary. Differences in length, for example, from one telescopic container to the next may be desired to control the amount of expansion, and, consequently, the increased amount in surface area, of a telescopic container when judged from its fully contracted state to its fully expanded state. Differences in width and number of telescopic unit(s), for example, may be desired to ensure the sturdiness of the telescopic container upon expansion, as well as the amounts of increased surface area of a telescopic container when judged from its fully contracted state to its fully expanded state.

A final attribute shown in FIG. 1B includes an optional securing mechanism 190, 195, wherein a first part 190 of the securing mechanism 190, 195 is affixed to a first portion 197 of the telescopic container 175, and a second part 195 of the securing mechanism 190, 195 is affixed to a second portion 199 of the telescopic container 175. By way of example, the first part 190 may be a latch, and the second portion 195 may be a receiver for the latch. In this manner, the securing mechanism 190, 195 provides the telescopic container 175 with enclosure support when the telescopic container 175 is in the fully contracted state. Use of the optional securing mechanism 190, 195 would be suggested during the storage or shipping of goods in the telescopic container 175. Although not specifically shown in FIG. 1A, it will be understood that a securing mechanism, such as securing mechanism 190, 195 could also be utilized with the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1A. In another example embodiment, the telescopic container 175 may just close securely without the addition of a securing mechanism 190, 195.

Moving on to FIG. 2, an example embodiment of a telescopic container 200 in an expanded state is depicted. As compared to FIG. 1A, the depicted expanded state of the telescopic container 200 in FIG. 2 shows the first portion 215 and the second portion 220 much more clearly. The first portion 215 includes a first top surface 225, a first bottom surface 230 and a visible first side 235 of three first sides associated with the first portion 215. The second portion 220 includes a second top surface 240, a first bottom surface 245 and two visible second sides 250 of three second sides associated with the second portion 220. This depiction of a telescopic container 200 also makes visible three telescopic units 255 located on top surface of the telescopic container 200 and one visible telescopic 255 located on the bottom surface of the telescopic container 200. Furthermore, in this expanded state of the telescopic container 200, the increased work surface area 260 is made visible. In such an embodiment, it can be more easily envisioned how contained goods, such as fireworks, weapons or marine airgun sources, could be removed from a telescopic container 200 in a fully contracted state, and then placed atop the telescopic container 200 in an expanded state, wherein the increased work surface area 260 could be used as a deployment surface or hanger for such goods.

FIGS. 3A-5 elucidate on the telescopic units that may be either integrally associated with or affixed to the telescopic containers disclosed herein. FIG. 3A depicts an aerial view of a telescopic unit 300 affixed with bolts 305 to a male portion 320 located on a first portion of a non-depicted telescopic container and a female portion 310 located on a non-depicted second portion of a non-depicted telescopic container. By the male portion 320 entering into the female portion 310, a telescopic container would move towards contraction until the telescopic unit is in a fully contracted state. Conversely, by the male portion 320 moving out of the female portion 310, a telescopic container would move towards a more expanded state until the telescopic container reaches its maximum expanded state before coming apart into two pieces, i.e., the first portion and the second portion. The ingress and egress action of the male portion 320 within the female portion 310 may further depend based on the complimentary shapes and structures of the male portion 320 within the female portion 310. For example, the male portion 320 may simply be a flat, rectangular-shaped element that slides in and out of the female portion 310. Such a male portion 320 could also be serrated or grooved so that a complimentary female portion 310 permits only measured movements within the female portion 310. By way of further example, a male portion 320 could be a cylindrical rod screw that is received by a threaded female portion 320. Regardless of the particular shape and type of male and female portions 320, 310 utilized, an advantage to this type of telescopic unit 300 is that the female portion 310 inherently provides a sleeve for the male portion 320, and, thereby protects both the telescopic unit 300 from being possibly being damaged during storage/transit and the user from being pinched or hurt by the telescopic unit 300 during expansion of the telescopic container.

FIG. 3B depicts the telescopic unit 300, 350 shown in FIG. 3A, but now from a cross-sectional view. In this embodiment, the male portion's 370 ingress and egress action within the female portion 360 is more easily visualized.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, an aerial view is depicted of a first portion 420 affixed with screws 405 to a non-depicted first portion of a telescopic container that is received by a second portion 410 also affixed with screws 405 to a non-depicted first portion of the telescopic container. Unlike the telescopic unit 300, 350, 400 depicted in FIGS. 3A, 3B, the second portion 410 does not envelope the first portion 420 by providing what is termed herein as a sleeve of sorts. Instead, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the first portion 420 is left exposed to the environment, but, otherwise, the first portion and second portion may unite to allow a simple sliding mechanism for contraction and expansion of the telescopic container, or, may be more complicated, to allow a gear-type of mechanism for contraction and expansion of the telescopic container.

FIG. 4B depicts the telescopic unit 400, 450 shown in FIG. 4A, but now from a cross-sectional view. In this embodiment, the first portion's 470 ingress and egress action in the second portion 460 is more easily visualized.

Now, turning to FIG. 5, an aerial view is depicted of a male portion 520 integrally associated with a non-depicted first portion of a telescopic container that is received by a female portion 510 also integrally associated with a non-depicted first portion of the telescopic container. Instead of bolts, screws, or other affixing materials, the male and female portions 520, 510 of the telescopic unit 500 are integrally associated with their respective portions of the telescopic container. Such integral association is possible, for example, by casting or welding the telescopic unit 500 directly to telescopic container made of metal. By way of another example, such integral association is also possible by a telescopic container made from extruded plastic with the telescopic unit being part of this extrusion. Finally, FIG. 5 also includes an optional restraining mechanism 530 that prevents complete separation of the male portion 520 of the telescopic unit 500 from the female portion 510 of the telescopic unit 500; this, naturally, also prevents a telescopic container having the telescopic unit 500 from allowing its first portion to separate from its second portion. As shown in the example embodiment, the male portion 520 has a T-shape, wherein the upper portion of the T-shape is larger than the orifice of the female portion 510 that holds the male portion 520. In this manner, the restraining mechanism 520 prevents complete separation of the telescopic container in its fully expanded state.

While the foregoing is directed to example embodiments of the disclosed invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. For example, male portions comprising pipes of selected diameter could be affixed to both the first portion and the second portion of telescopic containers 100 or 175. The two male portions could then be interconnected by a single female portion comprising a pipe or rod of slightly smaller diameter than the two male portions inserted within the two male portions. By drilling holes through the resulting pipe assembly at various intervals, locking pins could be inserted. The separation between the first portion and the second portion of the container can then be secured with the locking pins from fully extended to fully closed, at intervals defined by the holes. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the foregoing disclosure will readily devise other implementations that do not exceed the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention therefore is determined only by the claims that follow. 

1. A telescopic container, comprising: a first enclosure section defining a first interior volume, the first enclosure section open on one side; a second enclosure section defining a second interior volume, the second enclosure section open on one side, the open sides of the first and second enclosure sections facing each other, the second enclosure section having exterior dimensions enabling movement thereof into the open side of the first enclosure section; a plurality of telescopic units connecting the first and second enclosure sections, the telescoping units having operable length such that when fully extended, the first and second enclosure sections are separated from each other and a work surface is defined having an area exceeding a combined surface area of the first and second enclosure sections, the operable length selected such that when fully retracted, the second enclosure section is nested in the first enclosure section to define a total interior volume less than the sum of the first and second interior volumes.
 2. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein the telescopic container has a rectangular shape, and, as a result, each of the portions has three sides.
 3. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein the telescopic container has a wheel shape, and, as a result, each of the portions has one side.
 4. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein the telescopic container has a range of positions from a fully contracted state to a fully expanded state.
 5. The telescopic container of claim 1, further comprising a securing mechanism having a first part located on one of the one or more first sides and a second part located on one of the one or more second sides, whereby the securing mechanism provides the telescopic container with enclosure support in a fully contracted state.
 6. The securing mechanism of claim 5, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a latch.
 7. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein each of the more than one telescopic units comprises a male portion disposed on the first enclosure section for movable engagement with a female portion disposed on the second enclosure section.
 8. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein each of the telescopic units comprises a portion on the first enclosure section for movable engagement with a corresponding grooved portion on the second enclosure section.
 9. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein each of the telescopic units has portions affixed to top and bottom surfaces of the respective first and second enclosure sections.
 10. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein each of the telescopic units further comprises a travel limiting device to prevent complete separation of the first enclosure section from the second enclosure section.
 11. The restraining mechanism of claim 10, wherein each of the telescopic units comprises a male portion, having a T-shape and integrally connected to the first enclosure section for movable engagement with a female portion disposed on the second enclosure section, wherein an upper bar shape of the T-shape is larger than a width of the female portion, thereby preventing complete separation of the first enclosure section from the second enclosure section. 